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One person has been found dead in Carlsbad, a day after an intense blaze scorched a twisting path through the community, ravaging homes and forcing thousands to evacuate.

The grim discovery Thursday evening marked the first death in the rash of fires that have ripped through the San Diego area in the past three days amid high winds, extreme heat and dry conditions.

Photos of Firestorm 2014

Firefighters found the victim's badly burned body while they were performing a hot spot check in a known transient encampment near Ambrosia and Calliandra, about two miles west of where the 400-acre Poinsettia Fire -- now called the San Diego Complex -- first sparked.

About 300 firefighters were on the front lines of the fire that has burned 400 acres Thursday morning. As of Friday morning, the fire was 85 percent contained.

On Wednesday, the county issued 15,000 evacuation notices by contacting people at homes, cell phones and businesses in the area wast of El Fuerte Road, south of Palomar Airport Road, north of Aviara Parkway and west to the coast.

Major roadways throughout Carlsbad were opened by 6 p.m. Thursday. However, limited access has been granted to Ambrosia Lane to facilitate support for safety personnel, officials said.

Fire officials are investigating the cause of the Poinsettia Fire and multiple other brush fires that sparked in San Diego County on Wednesday. Anyone who noticed suspicious activity that could have started the fire is asked to call 760-602-7599 or email PoinsettiaFire@carlsbadca.gov.